Page 15 - RADC 2016

I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the mountains during the summer.
GO APE for grown ups; a standard climbing harness is worn and attached to a KESA (Kinetic Energy Shock Absorber) The KESA is then attached to the iron rope, ladder
or metal rung using two large Carabiners. Carabiners are moved one at a time to the next safe attachment thereby ensuring that climbers remain attached to relative safety. Were a climber to fall then they would drop roughly 4 metres. This could still cause serious injury but is unlikely to result in fatality.
The Battle eld Study took place throughout the entire exercise; we witnessed areas where in rmaries, accommodation, kitchens, mining and countermining had literally been tunnelled into the mountains. Even in summer with modern climbing gear routes were extremely dif cult. Despite it being mid-summer many ridgeways were still covered in snow, and presented a signi cant risk of slipping and falling to ones untimely and painful death. We worked as
a team on rope skills and several command tasks consolidated our essential knowledge.
During the War troops lived in freezing, squalid, dangerous conditions. They were utterly emaciated, starved and in constant fear; each shell that landed in mountainous terrain comparatively claimed six times the lives of those that landed on soft ground in the Somme. It was a humbling, emotional experience and an important development tool for Military personnel. All attendees were expected to prepare and present on various military subjects to the CO and to the group throughout the week. I enjoyed presenting on the casualties of WW1 and on the ne work undertaken Dr Harold Gillies.
Climbing was a fantastic experience; you are so utterly focussed on where to place your next toe/ nger that it’s very easy to zone out from the stresses of everyday life. Occasionally it’s also possible to look down and try a bit of ‘disco leg’; it’s fair to say that I and many others more than surpassed
our comfort zones and grew from the experience.
The amazing
scenery in Northern
Italy was surpassed
only by the friendly
and good-natured people of the region. We were made to feel totally welcome.
I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the mountains during the summer. There is something beautiful and also somewhat surreal about seeing alpine cattle graze the ski slopes.
As the week progressed, and the group
grew in ability and con dence, the dif culty of the climbs increased; I particularly
enjoyed climbing in Falloria, Cortina, as this was the backdrop for much of the movie Cliffhanger. We were a week ahead of the ski lifts summer opening. As such we found ourselves tabbing up several rather steep slopes. This was a very good warm-up for the climbs.
After an excellent, injury free, and highly physical week we set off for the 23 hour drive home. It was an odd experience driving through Italy, Austria, Germany and France during the announcement of the Brexit
vote. I am hopeful that the freedom that we currently have to travel through the diverse beauty of Europe remains past our exit....
My attendance on this exercise has de nitely strengthened my links with in the training Regiment. This has made my role at Winchester less isolated, more enjoyable, and I believe far more effective.
A minimal nancial contribution of £100 was required. I would have paid ten times that amount for half the experience as a Civilian. I would not however have had the honour of doing it with some of the Army’s nest. I would like to thank the CO ATR (Winchester), The MAA and his team, and PDO (South) for agreeing to my attendance.
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